After some small talk, Roy settled onto the clubroom's sofa.
"Here."
Akeno Himejima poured him a cup of tea.
Roy took a sip. "I'd heard Akeno-senpai's tea-making skills were top-notch, and it's true."
"Oh, thank you."
A smile spread across Akeno's face.
"Akeno, come sit."
Rias motioned her over, then turned to Roy.
"Koneko told me your purpose."
"You're here to find worthy opponents to fight, correct?"
Roy nodded. "That's right."
Rias continued, "I can fulfill that request. But making a contract with a devil requires appropriate compensation."
"I've got that covered."
Roy flexed his muscles. "I'll be your enforcer, clearing out cursed spirits or enemies in your territory to maintain order."
"You've thought this through."
Rias saw through his plan.
By forming a contract, he'd train against strong opponents.
Then, as payment, he'd fight a range of enemies.
It was a win-win, with no downside for him.
"What's wrong? Is that not enough?"
"It's more than enough, but I have a better proposal."
"What's that?"
"I'd like to invite you to become my familiar."
Rias produced a devil chess piece.
Defeating Koneko barehanded after just over a week of training spoke volumes about Roy's strength and potential.
A talent like that was worth recruiting.
"There are many benefits to becoming a devil, starting with near-infinite lifespan."
"As my familiar, you'd also receive a free plot of land in the Underworld as your territory."
"If you prefer to stay in the human world, you can join the Gremory family's businesses."
"You'd start at the bottom, but rising to executive level within a few years is no issue."
"Welfare and benefits are top-tier, with various bonuses each year."
"Sounds pretty good."
Roy rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
He didn't doubt Rias's sincerity.
As the Gremory family's princess and sister to the current Demon King, Rias held immense status in the Underworld.
Digging deeper, the benefits she mentioned were likely just the surface.
For Roy, whose sole goal was to grow stronger, this offer was all gain, no loss.
"Oh, one more thing I forgot."
Rias pressed her pitch. "As a Gremory devil, you'd gain free access to the Underworld."
"During summer break, we can visit together. You can spar with Gremory devils for free, and if that's not enough, I can arrange matches with elites from other families."
Roy grinned. "Deal."
She'd offered too much to refuse.
"Welcome aboard, Roy."
Rias's mood lifted, her lips curving into a smile.
She retrieved her remaining chess pieces from storage and spread them on the table.
"These are the pieces I have left. Which one do you want?"
"Doesn't matter. You pick."
"Then Rook it is."
A Rook was worth five Pawn pieces, second only to King and Queen.
Given Roy's prowess in close combat, a Rook piece suited him perfectly.
Rias activated the devil chess piece, merging it into Roy's body.
But then, an unexpected hitch.
With a pop, the Rook piece was ejected from Roy's body.
"Huh?"
Akeno, watching, was surprised.
"Is this… Roy's potential exceeding the piece's conversion limit?"
"Seems so."
Rias was equally taken aback. "Roy, looks like you'll have to be a Pawn."
"No problem."
Thinking quickly, Roy unequipped his Infinite Potential entry.
Rias activated a Pawn piece and merged it into Roy.
[Foreign power detected. Convert to White entry?]
A prompt sounded.
Before Roy could respond, a second Pawn piece was merged.
[Foreign power detected. Convert to Green entry?]
It could level up?
Glancing at the six remaining pieces, Roy continued merging Pawns.
The fourth Pawn raised the entry to Blue.
The eighth Pawn elevated it to Purple.
"Huh? Still not done?"
Rias's composure cracked, her eyes widening in shock.
Eight Pawn pieces!
Even Dragon King-level beings could be turned into devils with that, yet Roy showed no change.
"Don't worry, it's just taking a bit."
Roy hit the confirm button.
In an instant, the eight devil chess pieces vanished, transforming into a new entry.
[Pawn (Purple): Combines the power of eight Pawn pieces, allowing racial conversion to devil and significantly enhancing physical attributes.]
Jackpot.
It was Roy's first entry to directly boost his physique. He equipped it immediately.
A unique aura radiated from him, black wings unfurling behind him.
"Looks like it worked."
Rias exhaled in relief.
Roy's lack of reaction had made her think it failed again.
If it had, she'd have been out of options.
"You'll need to set aside time to practice flying."
Roy tested his devil wings briefly before re-equipping Infinite Potential.
[Roy]
[Race: Devil]
[Strength: Level 2]
[Entries: Healing Bracelet (Blue), Pawn (Purple), Senjutsu (Purple), Multiplier (Red), Infinite Potential (Seven-Colored)]
Interacting with people really paid off.
Gazing at his upgraded entry panel, Roy's spirits soared.
But just as he was about to challenge Rias to a spar, the door opened.
"President, I'm back."
Yuuto Kiba, fresh from slaying an evil spirit, stepped inside.
"Perfect timing. We've got a new member."
Rias briefed Kiba on Roy's situation and introduced them.
"Eight devil chess pieces? No wonder Roy-kun beat Koneko. Incredible potential," Kiba remarked.
Rias added, "Roy joined us to find stronger opponents. Yuuto, spar with him when you have time."
Kiba nodded. "Got it."
"Got time now?"
Roy's voice cut in.
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